Toy building construction



Nov. 16, 1937. N. l. PAULSON I TOY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 16, 1937. N. l. PAULSON 2,099,075

TOY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION I Filed May 13, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i:::;:t:%iiiiiii '39 w ig/44 3 5:;I111fl: f g itfi 7 L 0 Inlfen'l f- Z M laxa l fikmv Patented Nov. 16, 1937 TOY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Nils I. Paulson, Chicago, 111., assignor to Balsam Products Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application m, 11:, ms, W No. 19,551 10 Claims. (Cl. 48-26) My invention relates to toy building construction comprising blocks, strips and locking pieces,

and it has for its object the provision of a new and improved form and arrangement of cooperating parts of this type whereby a supply of such parts maybe readily and easily built up in association with each other for providing a wide variety of toy buildings and other structures.

It is another object of my invention to arrange the parts in such cooperating form as to enable me to lock the parts very firmly in engagement with each other by the use of locking tabs which are very simple in their form and arrangement so as to be capable of being produced very cheaply without the use of complicated machinery. It is one of the objects of my invention to provide an arrangement of this type in which the locking may be effected by means of straight locking tabs fitted in grooves which are so easily produced in the blocks and strips as to make it practical -to produce a complete quota of such locking grooves in each piece even though only a small proportion may be used for any given building operation, such grooves being located in such 25 positions on the blocks and strips as to be covered and hidden in large part'by the adjacent blocks or strips.

It is another object of my invention to provide a set of cooperating blocks of this type of differ- 80 cut lengths-each having a definite relationship to the length ofthe other blocks, with the lengths of the several blocks preferably having a definite relationship to the thickness of the wall formed by the blocks, and with the blocks or other parts 35 representing doors and windows of corresponding effective lengths along the wall and of an effective size vertically to correspond to the height of two or more tiers of the blocks forming the wall, whereby I may be enabled to vary the 40 construction and the arrangement of the parts through a very wide range for building up any given size and shape of wall by different combinations of parts. In this improved arrangement,

a predetermined unit of length corresponding 5 preferably to the thickness of the wall is employed, the various blocks being one or more units in length for expediting the formation of similar stretches of wall from different combinations of 50 It is another object of my invention to improve building construction of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by which I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the drawings and are 55 hereinafter specifically described, That which I believe tobe new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building structure made up of my improved blocks and asso- 5 ciated parts, with some of the parts omitted and with the top portion raised slightly with respect to the bottom portion for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is an outside face view of one of the 10 blocks employed in the building of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken at line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7 are face views of other blocks employed in the building of Fig. 1; 5

Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the roofing strips as employed in said building;

Fig. 9 is a face view of the corner portion of a structure built up from a plurality of the blocks;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken at line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an outside face view of the longest one of the blocks employed in the building of Fig. 1;

Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are built-up structures by the employment of different sets of the various blocks for providing a stretch of parts correspondlng to the length of the block shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is a view showing a combination of blocks for providing a stretch of parts of shorter length, and corresponding to the length of the block shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but showing a different combination of parts; and

Fig. 19 is a top plan view of a structure in the form of an enclosure made up as shown from a plurality of similar blocks suitably locked together.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, 20, 2 I, 22, 23, 24 and 25 indicate blocks of different form or size as employed in the building of Fig. 1. As is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the block 20 is substantially square in cross section, being provided with a groove 26 in its top face and a groove 21 in its bottom face, said grooves being centrally located so as to be disposed directly opposite to each other. At each end, the block 20 is cut away to provide a notch 28 of a length corresponding to the width of the block and of a depth corresponding to half of the thickness of the block.

The unnotched face portions at the "ends'of the block are providedwith cross grooves 29 located at a distance from the end-face of the block corresponding substantially to half of the thickness of the block. The block 23 corresponds to one end portion of the block 23, being provided with top groove 23 and bottom groove 21, a notch 23 and a cross groove 29, the end at the left being square,that is to say, at right angles to the length ofthe block. Blocks 2| and 22 are square at both ends, the block 2| being of a length corresponding to its width and the block 22 having a length three times as great as its width. Each of the blocks 2| and 22 is provided with a top groove 23 and a bottom groove 21. The block 24 is in the form of a wedge having a base of a length one and one-half times greater than its width and having a cross groove 30 across its oblique face substantially midway therealong, the block 24 also having a top groove 23 and a bottom groove 21. The block 23 as shown in Fi 12 is the same as the block 20 as shown in Fig. 2 except that the block 25 is of substantially double the length, as is shown by a comparison with Fig. 13.

In the arrangement shown in Fig.1, a plurality of the various blocks 20 to 23 are built up together to provide a building structure, the several tiers of blocks being connected together by means of locking tabs 3| secured in the top grooves 23 of the several blocks and engaging the bottom grooves 21 of the next higher blocks. As is clear-' ly shown in Fig. 1, the structure comprises also a window block 32 and a door block 33 which will be hereinafter described, together with roofing strips 34 which are held in position upon the blocks 24 by means of locking tabs 3| mounted in the cross grooves 30 of the blocks 24 and extending into longitudinal grooves 33 in the bottom faces of said strips.

As is best shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, in the arrangement shown each pair of notched blocks arranged in the same tier of blocks in crossed relationship to each other are locked together by -locking tabs 3|, each of such locking tabs being blocks holds the side face portion of the other block in tight engagement with the square end of the notch of said one block whereby the two blocks are secured together not only by the frictional engagement ofthe locking tabs in the grooves but also by the frictional engagement of the side faces of the blocks with the square shoulders of the notches. By this arrangement the parts are held very firmly in position with respect to each. other. At the same time, the parts can be very readily disconnected by the application of a direct pull upon the parts for the removal of the locking tabs from the grooves.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15,

similar lengths of wall can be arranged readily the blocks 23, twoof the blocks 22, and one block 2| can be employed to fill ,the space of a single block 23, as is shown by a comparison of Figs. 12 and 15. For accomplishing ,this purpose, all of the blocks are given a length an integral number of times greater than the predetermined unit of length which in the construction as illustrated corresponds to the width of the block.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 1, 16 and 17, the window blocks 32 and the door blocks 33 are also dimensioned so as to cooperate to advantage with the unit system of the cooperating blocks. Each of the blocks 32-33 has a horizontal size corresponding to an integral number of units of length. In the arrangement shown each of the blocks 32 and 33 has a horizontal size corresponding to two units of length. In the arrangement shown, the door block 33 has a vertical size corresponding to the height of three of the blocks 23, while the window block 32 has a vertical dimension correponding to the height of two of said blocks 23. As is clearly shown in Fig. 1, each of the blocks 32 and 33 is provided with a longitudinal groove 33 in its top face, a longitudinal groove 31 being provided in its bottom face as is shown in Fig. 16.

In the arrangement as shown in Fig. 19, a plurality of the blocks 20a in one direction and 20b in the cross direction are built up together in a plurality of tiers to form wall portions in angular relation to each other for producing an enclosure, such enclosure in the arrangement shown being square in view of the fact that all of the blocks are of the same length as used in this illustrative showing. Two locking tabs 3| are employed at each comer between each two tiers of blocks. One of such two locking tabs at each corner is located in the longitudinal groove 23 of a block 20a and the top cross groove 29 of the interfitting block 20b of the same tier so as to hold said interfitting block 20b from longitudinal movement with respect to said block 2011, and the other one of said two locking tabs at said corner is located in the longitudinal groove 21 of said interfitting block 20b and the bottom cross groove 29 of the next higher block 20a so as to hold said next higher block 200 from. longitudinal movement. specified is duplicated at all four corners, it will be understood that the four wall portions are positively locked together. For effecting this locking, it is suflicient if each of the wall portions making up the structure have at least one full length block having the connections as specified with both of the adJacerit wall portions, it being permissible that the remaining blocks of each of the wall portions be broken up to provide wall openihgs for doors or purpose.

By the of my improved arrangement, a great variety of structures can be built up in accordance with the desire and whim of the builder. The arrangement is such that the parts fit readily together and are easily disconnected but at the same time have such a frictional grip upon each other as to cause the parts to remain readily in operative position. As is above set forth, with the parts skillfully arranged for providing the windows, or for any other interlocking possible, a built-up structure can be provided of very substantial strength and stability.

As will be readily understood, the arrangement is such that the parts can be very readily produced. Wherever a groove is required at any given point, such groove is carried entirely Inasmuch as the interlocking as aooaovs through the block so as to be capable of very readily produced. I have foimd in practice that a machine of quite simple design can be shown in my drawings and as above. described, it

' is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the form as shown except so far as the narrower claims may be so limited in terms,

it being understood that the claims cover not only the forms shown but their 1. As a new article of manufacture, a building block cut away at one face at the end to provide a notch of a length corresponding to the width of the block, and having longitudinal grooves in its top and bottom faces, and having a groove transversely across the unnotched face portion at a distance from the end face of the block corresponding substantially to half of the width of the block.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an elongated wooden building block rectangular in cross equivalents.

- section and cut away at one face at the ends of the block to provide notches each of a' length corresponding to the width of the block and of a depth corresponding to half of the vertical thickness of the block,-and having narrow longitudinal grooves in-centered position in its top and bottom faces from end to end of the block, and having grooves transversely across the unnotched face portions of the block located at a distance from the end faces corresponding to half of the width of theblock. e

3. A building block construction comprising in combination two blocks having notched end portions and arranged in. rectangular relation to each other with their top faces in alignment and with one of the side face portions of each of the blocks in engagement with a square shoulder portion of the notch of the other block, said two blocks having aligned grooves in their top faces and aligned grooves in their bottom faces in crossed relationship to said first named grooves, and means for locking said two blocks together in frictional engagement with each other comprising a locking tab in the aligned grooves in the top faces and a second locking tab in the aligned rooves in the bottom faces,

4. A building block construction comprising in combination two blocks having notched end portions and arranged in rectangular relation to each other with their top faces in alignment and with one of the side face portions of each of the blocks in engagement with a square shoulder portion of the notch of the other block said two blocks having aligned grooves in their top faces and aligned grooves in their bottom faces in crossed relationship to said first named grooves,

and means for locking said two blocks together longitudinal faces atone end and arranged in' rectangular relation to each other with their top faces in alignment and with one of the side face other block, each of said blocks having longis tudinal grooves in centered position in ii: top and bottom faces and having a cros groove in itsunnotched longitudinal face in alignment with the longitudinal groove in the other block. and

means for locking said two blocks together. in

frictional engagement with each other comprisingalockingtabinthealignedgroovesinthe top faces and aesecond locking tab in the aligned sroovesin the bottom faces.

6. A building block construction comprising in combination three blocks each having longitudinal grooves in its top and bottom faces with one face portion cut away at the end to provide a notch of a length correspondingto the width of the block and of a depth corresponding to half of the thickness of the block and having a-cross groove in the unnotched face portion at a. distance from the end face corresponding substantially to the distance of said longitudinal groove from the outer face of the block, one of said blocks being superposed on the second block and the third block being arranged in crowed relationship between said first and second blocks, and

superposed blocks and engaging the cross groove of the third block for holding said third block from longitudinal movement transversely of said superposed blocks. V

7. A building block construction comprising in combination foin' blocks each having longitudinal grooves in its top and bottom faces, with two of said blocks of the same length and cut away at both ends and the other twoecut away at at least one end to provide notches in their faces of a length corresponding to the width of the block and of a depth corresponding to half of the thickness of the block, and having a cross groove in the unnotched face portion at a distance frmn the end face corresponding substantially to the distance of said longitudinal grooves from the outer face of the block, said other two' blocks being arranged in crossed relationship to one of said double notched blocks at opposite ends thereof and the other double notched block being superposed on said three blocks, and locking tabs in the grooves between said superposed block andthe other three blocks, with each of said locking tabs engaging at least one longitudinal groove of one block'and at least one cross groove of another block whereby said tabs hold each of said fcur blocks from longitudinal movanent with respect to the other blocks.

8. A building block construction comprising in plurality of tiers to form wall porti'ms in angular relation to each other for producing an enclosure, each of the blocks at the corners of the structure being cut away at one face to provide notches by which the blocks are-given lnterfltting relationship to each other, each of said blocks a locking tab in the longitudinal grooves of .said 7 having longitudinal grooves in its top and bottom 45 faces, and each of the notched blocks having a cross groove in its'unnotched face at a distance from the end face of the block corresponding substantially to the distance of said longitudinal groove from the outer face of the block, and looking tabs engaging the grooves between each two tiers of blocks for locking the parts together, each of the wall portions of the structure having at least one full length block therein connected at each end with the next adjacent wall portion by one of said'locking tabs engaging at one end portion with a longitudinal groove in one of the blocks in said adjacent wall portion and engaging at its opposite end portion with the adjacent cross groove in said full length block whereby the several wall portions of the structure are positively locked together.

9. 4s a new article of manufacture, a building;

10. A building block construction comprising in combination two building bloclrs disposed opposite to each other at opposite ends or a building,

structure and each in the form 01 a wedge having its top face-obliquely disposed and having a cross groove in substantially perpendicular position with respect to said oblique face at" about the middle point therealong, locking tabs in said grooves and extending above the top faces of the blocks, and a thin strip having a longitudinal groove inits bottom face in position to engage said locking tabs and of a width corresponding substantially to the length of the oblique faces of said blocks.

NILS I. PAULSON, 

